MURAL WITH A MESSAGE
Artist uses alley art to raise funds for local Brain Injury Association
It was tough weather Sunday for an outdoor fundraiser but officials with the Brain Injury Association of Windsor & Essex County persevered in order to raise awareness about acquired brain injuries.
The association, along with artist Debbie Kay, officially unveiled Kay's butterfly mural on a fence in the alley near Victoria Avenue and Pine Street.
People were encouraged to drop by throughout the afternoon and have their picture taken in front of the mural in exchange for a donation to the BIAWE.
“We'll do the best we can,” said Kay as she and a few other brain injury survivors braved rain mixed with snow and sleet. “We've already raised $300 and we haven't taken a picture yet.”
Kay finished the butterfly mural a few weeks ago on the fence behind the Victoria Ave home of Dorothy Davis. Her neighbourhood holds regular meetings known as Vic Talks and discusses ways to beautify and better the area. Davis liked the idea of an alley mural and reached out to Art Attack Windsor, a small business that specializes in working with artists to brighten outdoor spaces.
That led to Kay, a brain injury survivor herself, bringing her paint and brushes to the alley.
“The life of a butterfly symbolizes the life of an individual with a brain injury,” said the BIAWE'S media release. ” Much like a butterfly that develops from a caterpillar during the chrysalis process, the journey of a person with a brain injury can be transforming. Often an individual with a brain injury is not the person that they once were.”
Kay suffered a severe concussion in 2012 when she lost her footing in a parking lot pothole and landed face first on the concrete.
As she recovered, a doctor suggested taking art classes and to her delight, Kay discovered she had a flare that wasn't part of her makeup before.
“Every single brain injury is different,” she said. “There were some things I was no longer good at and I wasn't able to go back to my career.”
She studied with local artist Colleen Castonguay and ultimately brought her to the alley Sunday.
Her mural features a striking butterfly in hues of blue and yellow and outlined in black.
People stand in front of the butterfly's body and it appears as if they're wearing the enormous wings spread out behind them.
Those who had their picture taken were encouraged to share it and their story on social media using the hashtag #BIAWE. Doing so makes them eligible for a prize draw at the end of the month.
BIAWE'S mission is to enhance the lives of those affected by an acquired brain injury through education, advocacy and support.
Sunday's fundraiser was a way for Kay to give back to the organization that helped her on the journey back from injury. mcaton@